SWANSEA: ‘Big kit, tight planning, solid team’ — the contractors behind the Bascule Bridge’s successful move
The team that helped manoeuvre Swansea’s historic Bascule Bridge into its new temporary position has shared a behind-the-scenes look at the operation — giving residents a glimpse of what it takes to move a 70-tonne piece of Victorian history through a city.
Crynant Plant & Construction Ltd posted images of the operation on social media after working alongside Ian Davies Plant & Construction to shift the 120-year-old steel span from the Landore Park and Ride to a verge on Brunel Way — the latest step in the bridge’s painstaking restoration journey.
Workers from Crynant Plant & Construction and Ian Davies Plant & Construction oversee the crane lift at Landore Park and Ride. (Image: Crynant Plant & Construction Ltd)“Yesterday we were on a mission, helping out on one of their projects,” the company wrote. “The job involved moving a 70-ton section of a bascule bridge into position — definitely not your everyday lift. Big kit, tight planning, and a solid team effort all around.”
The move, which took place overnight, went smoothly — a relief given the complexity of the operation and the sensitivity of the structure involved. The bridge is a Grade II listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, almost 120 years old, originally built in 1909 to carry a rail link across the River Tawe.
An aerial view of the overnight operation as the Bascule Bridge convoy makes its way through Swansea. (Image: Crynant Plant & Construction Ltd)The steel span had been in storage at Landore Park and Ride while specialist restoration work was carried out on its damaged timber supports. It is now sitting on a verge at Brunel Way, ready to be lifted back into its permanent position once that timber restoration is complete — work which is expected to be finished early next year.
Once reinstated, the bridge will form part of a shared-use path crossing the River Tawe alongside Brunel Way, giving pedestrians and cyclists a historic link across the water for the first time in years.
Workers on top of the Bascule Bridge during the complex overnight operation to load the structure onto the transporter at Brunel Way. (Image: Crynant Plant & Construction Ltd)The restoration is part of the wider regeneration of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site — one of Swansea’s most significant industrial heritage projects, bringing back to life the remains of what was once the largest copper works in the world.
The images shared by Crynant Plant show the scale of the operation — heavy machinery, careful positioning and a team working in close coordination to move a structure that has stood for more than a century without incident.
The Bascule Bridge in its new temporary resting position — the 120-year-old structure now waits at Brunel Way until its timber supports are repaired and it can be lifted into place over the River Tawe. (Image: Crynant Plant & Construction Ltd)“Great to be part of it and see everything come together safely and smoothly,” the company added.
The bridge’s journey back to its home over the Tawe is now well advanced. Once the timber supports are repaired and the final lift is complete, one of Swansea’s most unusual historic structures will be open for people to use once more.
All images courtesy of Crynant Plant & Construction Ltd / Facebook.
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Historic 70-tonne Bascule Bridge makes its move as restoration takes a major step forward
Drivers near the Swansea.com Stadium should expect disruption tonight as one of the city’s most unusual road users makes its journey through the streets — a 70-tonne Victorian bridge on the move.
Swansea’s historic Bascule Bridge will be transported from its temporary home at the Landore Park and Ride site to a verge on Brunel Way tonight, where it will wait to be lifted back into its permanent position over the River Tawe.
The move will begin at 9pm and is expected to be completed by 6am tomorrow morning. A rolling road closure will be in place on a short section of the A4217 near the stadium before moving on to Brunel Way, with local diversions set up along the route.
The span of the River Tawe, where the Bascule Bridge will be sited.The almost 120-year-old steel span — a Grade II listed structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument — has been in storage while specialist restoration work is carried out on its damaged timber supports. That work is expected to be complete early next year, after which the bridge will be lifted back into place.
Once restored and reinstated, the Bascule Bridge will form part of a shared-use path alongside Brunel Way, crossing the River Tawe and giving pedestrians and cyclists a historic link across the water.
The bridge’s return is part of the wider restoration of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site — one of Swansea’s most significant industrial heritage projects, which is bringing back to life the remains of what was once the largest copper works in the world.
As Swansea Bay News has previously reported, the restoration of the Bascule Bridge has been a careful, painstaking process given its protected status. The structure cannot simply be repaired — every intervention must be sympathetic to its heritage value and approved in line with its listed building and scheduled monument designations.
Tonight’s move brings the bridge one significant step closer to the moment Swansea residents will be able to walk and cycle across it again for the first time in years.
Drivers in the area tonight are advised to allow extra time and follow the signed diversions.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Restoration work on Swansea’s historic Bascule Bridge moves ahead
The latest on the bridge’s restoration — and what the project means for the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site.
Restoration work on historic Swansea bridge moves ahead
Earlier coverage of the painstaking process of bringing one of Swansea’s most unusual listed structures back to life.
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